>>106953419
How dont you?
Sometimes I just start mid dungeon, other times its upon awakening. Always as underdigs/rookies, and usually broke and desperate for a money which leads to biting off more than they can chew and a chance to grow as a character. Might even do a whole Hero's Journey if I'm feeling fancy.
I always enjoyed fantasy writing and DMing, though, so I'm a bit practiced.

For story stuff, dont forget the little things like camp scenes. Consider their travel rations and how they could be used to make a dish for normal adventurers, or how your lone rogue spy simply eats a ball of pemmican as they rest on a treebrach for a few hours in the night while making their journy into enemy territory. The more stuff you fast forward through the less adventure there is.Take a moment to describe walking down the main thoroughfare on the way to the guild in the morning. If your {char} tries to do something, let them do it, but correct them if it doesnt work out the way they often try to narrate. Throw in some twists, make 'em work for it. Watch them struggle and squirm before getting to open the treasure chest. Watch their disappointment when the treasure is ambiguous and strange.